Hawkes Bay Trades and Labour Council

Maoriland Worker, Volume 6, Issue 243, 13 October 1915, Page 4

Hawkes Bay Trades and Labour Council

ft . AGAINST THE NATIONAL REGISTER. At tho meeting of the Hawkes Bay Trades and Labour Council hekj on AVednesday, September 29th, Mr. F. Kay presiding, a letter was dealt with from tho Napier Painters' Union asking tbe Council to make some statement on the National Registration Bill. The chairman read tho Registration Bill, and the following resolution was carried, with one dissentient, after a good discussion: "That having considered the. Defence Aot, the Expeditionary Forces Act, and the National Registration Bill in their relations to one another and to, the present war, this meeting notes with regret and consternation— "1. That Parliament has already placed powers in tho hands of Minis-r tors for compulsorily regimenting' the men and youth of this country for war, in the 1909 Defence Act. "2. That Parliament has, in the National Registration Bill, given Ministers, still further powers over the bodies pf men pf military age. "3. That the only deduction to be, drawn from these facts is that Parliament and the Ministry contempate at some time in the future compulsorily seizing, equipping, and sendipg these men, or some of them, to Europe or elsewhere for service in the present war. "This meeting strenuously protests against these acts." The secretary was instructed te fo.rr ward copies of the resolution -to, the Prime Minister, Minister for defence. Member for the district, local paper. AA 7 orker," and the. Labour members of Parliament. J. MOULTON, Secretary. ■_~.' ' ~—. ..... j